Test panel to measure blood neurotoxin levels in prematernal women and for the general public in relation to mental disorders of the aging

ABSTRACT

A prescribed diagnostic blood test panel is directed to countering autistic and mentally affected births and assessing the continued healthy mental state of the elderly. Six neurotoxins in the blood are analyzed, five of which can produce damage to the brain, namely aluminum, arsenic, lead, mercury and manganese. The sixth, selenium, although a toxin at high levels is in fact a protective element for the brain within a certain concentration range providing important cleansing mechanisms for the alien neurotoxins. This test establishes a baseline set of values for these six neurotoxins and provides guidance for preventive measures to minimize potential risk of neurological consequences. This reduces the risk of autism in new births and is especially valuable to the general public in providing a tool to possibly avoid the consequences of diseases in old age such as dementia, Parkinson&#39;s or Alzheimer&#39;s.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/379,352, filed on Dec. 14, 2016, which is incorporated herein byreference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 120.

BACKGROUND Field of the Technology

The invention relates to the field of medical treatments by providing asimply prescribed diagnostic test panel for a patient's blood sample asa preventive measure to counter autistic and mentally affected birthsand for assessing the continued healthy mental state of the elderly.

Description of the Prior Art

The aim of the medical profession is to maintain as high a quality ofhealth in the general populace as possible. Until recent years itspredominant emphasis has been on diagnosing illnesses and providingcures. Without symptoms there has been an assumption of health with lessemphasis placed on preventive care. However, there is a growing concernthat modern lifestyles and the ever changing environment in which welive may be the root cause of various syndromes and mental aberrationsthat previously rare are now becoming commonplace.

Autism in the US now has a rate of one in eighty births whereas 30-40years ago it was one in ten-thousand. The nature of mental disorders inchildren appears to cover a wide spectral range and the age relateddeteriorations that similarly have a range of names such as dementia,Parkinson's or Alzheimer's have impacted many people. Such illnesses areno longer thought to be mainly coupled to genetic aspects, but are infact a consequence of the environment. The medical profession at presentis in a quandary concerning such situations as no cures are available.

Medical research now has been proceeding for many years to try andidentify causes, but prematernal women thinking of pregnancy face greatstress and worry which is difficult for doctors to relieve. Seeminglyhealthy pregnant women are giving birth to autistic children. The sameanguish applies to families with aging adults when they see no guaranteethat a deterioration in mental ability will not strike the elderly.

In life, decisions are invariably made for a reason or need. Forexample, the airport is constantly serviced with planes that are readilyavailable. Nevertheless, they are never used unless people have a reasonfor a flight. This now is the situation in medicine, instrumentation hasbeen around now for a decade or more that will analyze people's blood.However, if people appear healthy a doctor will not consider anyanalyses, when there is no apparent reason, other than those nowstandardized such as blood pressure, lipid panel (cholesterol) etc. Theyrarely do exploratory testing since the body is too complex. However,one reason is now clear with the growing epidemic of mental illness, butthere are no simple procedures presently suggested and no standardizedtesting particularly for prematernal women who need an assurance oftheir body's health in this respect. National Survey studies haveclearly shown that all women have specific baseline values ofneurotoxins in their blood yet appear perfectly healthy. It fullydepends on their living environment and their lifestyle. These arebeyond a doctor's knowledge. Consequently for any women about to becomepregnant such baseline values remain unknown but are preciousinformation. If known it would enable time to permit a lowering ofneurotoxins which not only safeguards a fetus but undoubtedly alsoenhance the body's ability to counter any other underlying systemicinfections that may not be apparent. Hopefully the introduction of sucha simple test panel will begin a process of aimed at reducingneurological illnesses.

What is needed is a method to provide doctors with the information tonot only remove some of this the present concern especially for futuremothers, but also to provide the tool where each person can know thestate of their body throughout life relating to any concerns aboutpotential neurological damage. At present this is not readily availableand if considered in a random manner is applied only in part too late.What is needed is a blood test panel that emphasizes the potential forminimization of mental disorders that result from possible neurotoxindamage specifically to the brain.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The illustrated embodiments of the invention include a method forassessing neurotoxic risk levels in a subject. The method includes thesteps of: measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the sixmetallic neurotoxins encountered in the body that are comprised ofaluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium;comparing the measured baseline values of the six neurotoxins, includingaluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead, manganese, and selenium againstcorresponding known minimum risk level (MRL) values of these sixneurotoxins, to determine risk of neurotoxic effects; and diagnosing therisk of potential neurological diseases that include autism in a fetus,or dementia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases in an adult.

The step of measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the sixneurotoxins and comparing the measured baseline values against a knownstandard minimum risk level for an elderly subject or a prematernalwoman.

The step of measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the sixneurotoxins includes measuring a blood baseline value in the subject ofthe six neurotoxins with an inductively coupled plasma massspectrometric analyzer.

The step of measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the sixneurotoxins includes measuring a blood baseline value in the subject ofthe six neurotoxins by atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermalionization mass spectrometry or glow discharge mass spectrometry, or anycorrespondingly adequate analyzer that may become available.

The method further includes adjusting the expected average minimum risklevel (MRL) values according to the subject's gender and body weight.

The method step of measuring a blood baseline value in the subject ofsix neurotoxins, namely, aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead, manganese,and selenium includes simultaneously measuring on one analytical systema set of blood baseline values in the subject of these six neurotoxins.

The step of comparing the measured baseline values of the sixneurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese,together with selenium and assessing the degree of risk of neurotoxiceffects of the six neurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury,lead, manganese, and selenium to diagnose any potential disease state bycomparison with standardized minimum risk levels. This will provide adoctor with the necessary information to prescribe suggested changes indiet or lifestyle to reduce this risk to an accepted level.

The step of assessing the risk of neurotoxic effect of the sixneurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead, manganese, andselenium to diagnose the level of risk and over time monitor thepatient. This then minimizes any continuation of an unhealthy bodilystate and further facilitates the ability for additional correctivemeasures.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are tobe accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a conventional fully functioning inductivelycoupled plasma-mass spectrometer capable of quantitatively analyzingsimultaneously the six neurotoxin elements in a blood sample accordingto the invention.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of theembodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that theembodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustratedembodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiments of the invention are particularly directedto the detection and effect of neurotoxins. The human brain is mainlyprotected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is a network of tightlyknit cells whose purpose is to shut out from the brain any alien speciesin the body, only allowing necessary nutrients to enter. It is veryeffective and the reason there has been difficulty in devising drugs totreat the brain is that the drugs simply cannot enter. Unfortunately,there are certain elements and their compounds that by various means,such as having small molecular size or being organic in nature, disguisetheir nature and manage to overcome this obstacle. In particular theseare the six known neurotoxins addressed in this patent and are known forhaving the ability to enter and damage the brain. They differ in thisway from normal toxins or poisons that are excluded from the brain. Thebody generally can control these, utilizing the kidneys and liver or ifin excess with the additional aid of medical chelation. The brain doeshave its own additional protection in containing chelating orself-cleansing proteins and enzymes. These detoxing molecules, now oftenreferred to as anti-oxidants, generally contain sulfur or selenium andcan be effective at sequestering a neurotoxin and gradually removing it.However, this is not an instant process and from animal studies thebrain half-life of each of the neurotoxins has been estimated and can bemeasured in days or more. How long the neurotoxins are active in thebrain to inflict damage before being nullified remains uncertain. Also,the extent by which the brain can repair itself to some degree if abusedremains uncertain. As a result, even for the healthiest, the body has aconstant burden that is continuous from birth until death removing bodytoxins. Moreover, we are totally dependent on the brain defensemechanisms and their efficiencies and constant operation. We normallyaccept this and assume the functions are trouble free. For many, who arefortunate, this does appear to be the case. In reality it is not reallyknown whether brain defenses are occasionally stretched too much and wehave no simple way of asking that question at present other than seeinga consequence.

Although the world now has millions of chemicals in circulation, many ofwhich are obnoxious and toxic, we are in a way fortunate that the numberof generally encountered neurotoxins with which humans interface is onlya handful. These are mainly the elements and compounds of aluminum (Al),arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn). These are allalien to the body, serving no purpose except for manganese that doesplay numerous roles and as a consequence may self-regulate itsconcentration to some degree in the body and as a result is of lesserconcern. Selenium differs from the others in that although a neurotoxinabove a certain dose it is vital to the brain being involved in thebrain's protective mechanisms. Whether we like it or not, it can be verydifficult for the average person to avoid these elements in life. Asindicated in the Table below, these neurotoxins are encountered in food,water and even dust particles besides other sources. However, withknowledge we would have an enhanced ability to minimize them and theireffects.

Aluminum as its hydroxide has replaced mercury (thimerosal) in manydomestically US consumed vaccines. Although not normally regarded asdangerous by the medical profession, this assumption was only based onorally consumed data. In fact a toxicology assessment suggested a highvalue minimum risk level of 1.0 mg Al/kg body weight/day. However, suchdigested aluminum has only a 1% absorption by the intestines whereasintravenous injection from a vaccine is a totally differentconsideration as it is 100% absorbed in the blood. More recent criticalreviews have indicated the risk factor of this and connected it withautism and Alzheimer's disease. Brain uptake, retention in adults andaluminum loading in preterm neonates also has been extensively reported.In the manufacturing of infant foods, there is still pronounced concernsabout the aluminum content in the product. As listed by the Mayo Clinicand the Micro Trace Minerals diagnostic centers and portrayed in theTable below they now recommend an MRL of <6 microgram/liter for bloodcontent.

Arsenic is well known as a historical murder poison and in certaindistricts can be a contaminant of the drinking water, possibly its majorsource for many people. Its toxicology is well documented. Althoughfound in fish, this is mainly as an organic form (arsenobetaine) onlymildly toxic, not digested and

TABLE 1 Neurotoxin testing for blood levels, measured in microgram perliter units. US National Survey Results Minimum Dietary and NeurotoxinRange Average Risk Level Other Sources Aluminum 3.8-17 4.6 <6 Vaccines,food (cereals, nuts), water Arsenic  2.6-8.5 4.0 <10 Seafood (minor),poultry, water, low in most foods Lead  3-38 18 <50 Old plumbing, paint,leaded glass, water, air dust, low in foods Manganese 1.6-63 9.2 <18Teas, food (nuts, bread, cereal, fruit), air dust, water Mercury 0.2-330.8 <2-9  Vaccines, seafood (Sushi), dentistry Selenium  144-253 190<70-130 Food (nuts, eggs, fish), waterexcreted without being metabolized. However, it is one element that canmethylate in the body. In other words it can change if it is ingested inan inorganic structure to one that is organic and becomes a more potentneurotoxin.

Mercury is a more dangerous neurotoxin particularly in modern times. Ithas been shown that inorganic mercury such as in tooth amalgam does havetrouble getting through the BBB. However, its organic forms asthimerosal still used to various extents in vaccines (metabolizing inthe body to ethyl mercury), and the mercury in all fish as themethylated organic form (methyl mercury) have been monitored in fetalbirth cords, and in brain autopsies of fetus, babies and seniors.Experiments on monkeys in particular have clearly illustrated thepassage of organic mercury into the brain, its half-life and behavior.One important difference with organic mercury is that the easy influxcan modify once in the brain (demethylation or de-ethylation) and revertto an inorganic form that then is more difficult to egress. The highrisk associated with mercury is becoming very evident by an increasedlevel of mercury poisonings being noted by the medical profession. Thisis a recent change with which they were not previously familiar. Itappears to arise from the recent strong upturn in eating fish Sushistyle.

There now is an overwhelming number of animal studies with all theseneurotoxins in the medical literature. This includes lead which invarious ways may have contributed to the downfall of Rome. The recentcontamination of drinking water in Flint Mich. again has highlighted theheavy dependency on trusting the safety of what we eat and drink. Leadis a potent neurotoxin and much more easily absorbed by children and sowill certainly have consequences for that population. However, it stillremains of general concern as it was used in lead/silver solder forwelding copper water piping and was used in oil paints. As a result itremains in our environment in all older houses, although now banned, aswas also leaded gasoline and leaded cut glass. It remains a problem inthe US but is even more evident in other countries with high valuesrecently evident in the public of Norway and seen in the perinatallevels of mothers in Austria.

Manganese differs from these other neurotoxins in being necessary to thebody. Although extensively studied with animals, only tentative dietarysuggestions of about 10 mg/day for an average man have been suggested. Asurvey of 7720 US citizens arrived at an average blood content value of9.2 microgram/liter in blood with only slightly higher levels in women.However, as seen in the attached table, the measured range of values inthat survey stretched from 1.6 to 63 microgram/liter indicating thatsome of those tested (called the outliers) had levels that were muchhigher for this element, the consequences remaining unknown. Manganeseis also documented to cross the blood brain barrier as the other fourmentioned and can affect fetal normal behavior. All these neurotoxinsare evident in all human blood and that of pregnant women. However,small levels do appear needed in the case of manganese.

The body is seen to be highly complex and even for these neurotoxins ithas innumerable proteins and enzymes that provide protection for thebrain. One very important element in this regard is selenium and currentstudies have clearly identified this even though larger doses of thiscan in fact also be toxic. Many animal studies have been reported but arelevant one clearly indicated that if selenium was fed to rats at asimilar atomic quantity as these neurotoxins, neural damage could beminimized and was apparently negligible. Also studies have shown thatselenium is beneficial to human conception and pregnancy and when givento the elderly as a supplement has shown noticeable neural improvements.As a result, there is now a huge field of medical studies that haveremained uncoordinated but they do indicate that better patientmonitoring would be invaluable. Also, it is clear that neurotoxins arepotentially hazardous during pregnancies and also may accumulate in thebrain in various ways throughout life. Keeping them at low levels has tobe immensely beneficial. There is a general feeling among some inmedical research that the safe level for any neurotoxin is zero. All themedical studies that have been reported to establish databases ofaverage values for the general public or for pregnant women do indicatethe ever presence of these neurotoxins in the blood of everybody coupledto other poisonous species, poisonous to the body but not the brain.With all these neurotoxins similar distributions have been noted thatcan cover a broad range of values, some people obviously having betterbody control mechanisms and some having greater retentions. It is theneurotoxins that can damage the brain. As seen from the Table, in thosepeople tested in the US, numerous exceeded the minimum risk levelparticularly for aluminum, manganese and mercury and would be of concernin some cases if pregnant. The above average values for selenium seen inthe US population are undoubtedly of benefit. In countries with poorselenium bearing soils low values for selenium would enhance riskconcerns with the other neurotoxin ranges.

In recent decades a minor explosion has occurred in science concerningthe analytical ability for monitoring. In spite of this, the medicalprofession remains lax at monitoring the baseline of these neurotoxinsin individuals or prematernal women. Moreover it remains very difficultfor them to authorize such a test and invariably this is not undertaken.A disastrous scandal occurred in Minamata, Japan, 60 years agoconcerning toxic mercury contamination of the adjacent lake. Thisresulted in many birth defects but surprisingly showed no effect on themothers. This remains the problem, the mother being an adult can handlecertain levels of neurotoxins because her brain is fully formed. Thefetus though is far more vulnerable in that it is not only small but itsbrain is in early stages of development. It survives in the majority ofcases by its own brain defense mechanisms. The number of birthmiscarriages is globally high, with signs of being on the increase, andgenerally happens in the very early stages of development often beforethe woman realizes she is pregnant. This emphasizes more so theimportance of testing prematernal women before they become pregnant. Inaddition, the effects of a neurotoxin generally tend to have beenstudied singly. There is very little discussion of synergistic effectsand it is quite possible that the sum of the neurotoxic levels in thebody may be collaboratively more dangerous.

The illustrated embodiments of the invention include a test profile thatcan simultaneously analyze a blood sample for these six elements. Thiscan be achieved on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometricanalyzer that is now available globally and can be programmed to do sucha task. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a typeof mass spectrometry which is capable of detecting the presentlydiscussed metals at concentrations as low as ten parts in a trillion (Iin 10¹¹), two orders of magnitude more sensitive than the parts perbillion scale required in the proposed blood analyses (micrograms perliter). The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to aphotograph of the monitoring device, see FIG. 1 that would be used in adiagnostic testing facility. It is not a large instrument but fullycomputerized and now generally available and reliably standardizedparticularly in regard to measuring these six elements. It can bereadily operated by a trained technician. This is achieved by aspiratingthe blood or calibration sample at a fixed and constant rate into a hightemperature (5000° C.) argon plasma that almost fully atomizes andionizes the metallic content of the sample. This plasma then enters amass spectrometer that resolves the elemental ions into a highlydispersed mass spectrum and quantifies their intensities. These arescaled absolutely by utilizing calibration samples containing knownlevels of the species of interest. At these concentration levels theresponse is linear, making calibration easy. Moreover, the system hasnow been proven valid for these six elements, possible interferencesfrom the argon gas carrier observed for arsenic and selenium have beenresolved by utilizing alternate interference free isotopic lines thatexist for these. Moreover such an instrument normally is very stableduring a day and only infrequent validation calibration is needed. Suchinstruments are fully automated and computerized such that a sampleenters the system and the results are printed out. With a qualifiedtechnician the results can be very accurate (±10%). In the present testpanel this is much more than needed. For a doctor or patient the generalmagnitude is all that is necessary and a ±50% result would besatisfactory.

At present, compared to other analytical methods the ICP-MS has greaterspeed, precision, and sensitivity. However, any future instrumentdevelopment that is comparable or superior can also readily be used toproduce the needed test panel results.

The disclosed blood panel is a simple test panel that a doctor canreadily request on a prescription. It will provide blood analysis valuesto compare with the prescribed minimum risk levels suggested by thevarious toxicology services that includes the World Health Organizationin Geneva. Such results can readily be studied by the recipient toidentify any sources that may be resulting in any observed elevatedlevels. The body has always been able to handle certain loads butoverloading could be easily avoided. This would be valuable for anyonethat wishes to question their body and live with this knowledge ratherthan being totally uncertain. People who enjoy fish are totallysurprised when they are suddenly diagnosed with mercury poisoning. Thistest panel of elements is not currently available from medicaldiagnostic analytical laboratories. It is not readily obtained, but infact is not difficult to implement in any advanced analyticallaboratory. Such a test panel would be an invaluable medical advanceundoubtedly capable of saving many lives and providing a simple resourcethat would facilitate less emotional concern for anyone in such need.

People live their lives without really knowing the state of theirbodies. Often living is a learning experience when people risk abusingthe body to gauge its limits. Currently, the best example of this is theeating of fish. Fish is nutritious and fits the description of a healthyand delicious food. However, more and more people are being diagnosed ashaving mercury poisoning. Pregnant women are in a predicament when theyare told by their doctor to try and balance the risk against the benefitof fish in their diet. A simple blood test can provide an effectivediagnostic tool, particularly for the six neurotoxins evident ineverybody's blood, aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese,together with the important antioxidant selenium. These can all bemeasured simultaneously on one analytical system, or in other ways ifpreferred, using a single standard blood sample quantity. The resultscan be readily compared with recommended average safe values. Anindividual then has the necessary information to assess the nature ofthese values, and if decided take measures to minimize them to lowerlevels. They are all neurotoxins and should all be measured, it is notsufficient to examine only one. It is highly probable that they havecollaborative or cumulative effects in the brain.

In summary, the illustrated embodiments of the invention relates to themedical profession by providing a simply prescribed diagnostic testpanel for a patient's blood sample. It is a preventive measure tocounter the current epidemic of autistic and mentally affected birthsand will be equally valuable for assessing the continued healthy mentalstate of the elderly. It involves analyzing the six neurotoxins in theblood, five of which can produce damage to the brain, namely aluminum,arsenic, lead, mercury and manganese. The sixth, selenium, although atoxin at high levels is in fact a protective element for the brainwithin a certain concentration range providing important cleansingmechanisms for the alien neurotoxins. From toxicology, the minimum risklevels for these are known but a general consensus now is that minimumrisk levels for five of them should be as close to zero as is possible.With modern life styles this is not evident and everybody has thesetoxins in their blood to a variety of degrees. This simple testestablishes a baseline set of values for these six neurotoxins. Thisthen provides instant guidance for a doctor and the individual forpreventive measures to minimize potential risk of neurologicalconsequences. This is of paramount importance for women before pregnancyto reduce the risk of autism and is especially valuable to the generalpublic in providing a tool to possibly avoid the consequences ofdiseases in old age such as dementia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Withmodern technology this procedure can be readily put in place such thatthis panel of neurotoxin levels could be trivially prescribed for by asimple single blood test. Currently, this is not in the domain ofobstetrician/gynecologists or general practitioner's testing protocolsin any manner and remains difficult for them to prescribe specificallyfor these six neurotoxins.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theembodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by thefollowing embodiments and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment hasbeen set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should notbe taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims.For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim areset forth below in a certain combination, it must be expresslyunderstood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer,more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when notinitially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements arecombined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as alsoallowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are notcombined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in othercombinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodimentsis explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodimentsare to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly definedmeanings, but to include by special definition in this specificationstructure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly definedmeanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of thisspecification as including more than one meaning, then its use in aclaim must be understood as being generic to all possible meaningssupported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that anequivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any oneof the elements in the claims below or that a single element may besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements maybe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the embodiments.

I claim:
 1. A method for assessing risk for developing a neurological disease in a subject comprising: measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of six neurotoxins including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium; generating calibrated concentrations of the six neurotoxins from their measured baseline values; comparing the calibrated concentrations of the six neurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium with corresponding expected average minimum risk level (MRL) values of the six neurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium to determine the degree of risk of neurotoxic effects; assessing the risk of neurotoxic effects of the six neurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium to minimize the possibilities of neurological diseases; and automatically generating a report of calibrated concentrations of the six neurotoxins, wherein measuring the blood baseline value comprises: aspirating a blood sample into a high temperature argon plasma that atomizes and ionizes any metallic content of the blood sample; and simultaneously analyzing the blood sample for a defined metallic content of the six neurotoxins including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead, manganese, and selenium in the plasma in a mass spectrometer by resolving the elements into a highly dispersed mass spectrum to quantify their intensities.
 2. The method of claim 1 where assessing the risk of neurotoxic effects of the six neurotoxins, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium to minimize the possibilities of neurological diseases comprises assessing the risk of autism damage to a fetus, the occurrence of dementia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases.
 3. The method of claim 1 where measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the six neurotoxins and comparing the calibrated concentrations with the expected average minimum risk level includes measuring a blood baseline value and comparing the calibrated concentrations with such a standard for an elderly subject or a prematernal woman.
 4. The method of claim 1 where measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the six neurotoxins includes measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the six neurotoxins with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric analyzer.
 5. The method of claim 1 where measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the six neurotoxins includes measuring a blood baseline value in the subject of the six neurotoxins by mass spectroscopy or other analyzer.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting the expected average minimum risk level (MRL) values according to the subject's gender and body weight.
 7. The method of claim 1 where comparing the calibrated concentrations of the six neurotoxins, including namely aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium assesses the risk of neurotoxic effects of the six neurotoxins in connection with potential neurological diseases.
 8. The method of claim 7 where assessing the risk of neurotoxic effect of the six neurotoxins, namely aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese, together with selenium is compared to prior test results of an individual to monitor any change in the degree of risk concerning various potential neurological illnesses and enable subsequent procedures to be suggested. 